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  • What Could She Do (1914)
  • Short | 23 min | Short, Drama
What Could She Do (1914)
Short | 23 min | Short, Drama

Her father's death brought Sylvia Fairfax face-to-face with conditions she was unequipped to handle, and after an unsuccessful attempt to fill the position of governess in the Windermere home, she went to New York, where her experiences in...See moreHer father's death brought Sylvia Fairfax face-to-face with conditions she was unequipped to handle, and after an unsuccessful attempt to fill the position of governess in the Windermere home, she went to New York, where her experiences in a typical boardinghouse were varied. Finally, thanks to Hetty Sharp taking her under her experienced wing, Sylvia escaped Bannes' machinations and finally secured a position in the same department store where Hetty worked. In an effort to stop systematic thievery, the store owner had employed a detective and his suspicions fell on Sylvia. It so happened that just as Hetty had taken a handsome collar from the case, she was called to the main office. Thrusting the package into Sylvia's hand, telling her to keep it until she returned, she hurried away. A few moments afterwards Sylvia was confronted by the detective, and, despite her declaration of innocence, was taken to the office of the owner and charged with robbery. The two girls were examined separately by the police inspector, and being unable to secure any evidence from Hetty, he proceeded to apply the third degree to Sylvia. In spite of all their efforts, she refused to tell who gave her the package. Hetty, listening in the next room, could finally stand it no longer and burst into the room with a full confession that cleared Sylvia. Struck by Sylvia's fortitude, the Inspector offered to employ her on the force, and her first case turned out to be the abduction of little Kittie Gray. Sylvia had met Robert Gray before her misfortunes, and on discovering that she was to work in his home, she prevailed upon him not to divulge her identity. Clever work enabled Sylvia to locate the abductors through the complicity of Lizzie the maid, and after a terrific pistol fight ending in the capture of the thugs, little Kittie was restored to her mother's arms, while Robert made known Sylvia's real identity to his mother. Deciding to resign from the force, Sylvia and Robert went to the police station, and as Hetty had been released on a suspended sentence, Sylvia took the girl to her new home in an effort to make some return for Hetty's former kindness. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
Writer
Gertrude McCoy (as Gertrude Lyon)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 20, 1914

Release date
Nov 20, 1914 (United States)

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Cast

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18 cast members
Name Known for
Gertrude McCoy
Sylvia Fairfax Sylvia Fairfax   See fewer
Bigelow Cooper
Col. Fairfax Col. Fairfax   See fewer
Robert Brower
John Atkinson John Atkinson   See fewer
Mrs. William Bechtel
Mrs. Atkinson Mrs. Atkinson   See fewer
Richard Tucker
Robert Gray Robert Gray   See fewer
Mathilde Baring
Mrs. Gray Mrs. Gray   See fewer
Margaret O'Meara
Kitty Gray Kitty Gray   See fewer
Nellie Grant
Mrs. Windermere, Atkinson's Daughter Mrs. Windermere, Atkinson's Daughter   See fewer
William Bechtel
Mr. Windermere Mr. Windermere   See fewer
William Wirth
Their Son Their Son   See fewer
Edith Peters
Their Daughter Their Daughter   See fewer
Julian Reed
One of the 'Inmates' at the Boarding House One of the 'Inmates' at the Boarding House   See fewer
Alma MacLaren
The Boarding House Keeper The Boarding House Keeper   See fewer
Harry Beaumont
Billy Banners Billy Banners   See fewer
Marjorie Ellison
Hetty Sharp Hetty Sharp   See fewer
Harry Linson
The Store Owner The Store Owner   See fewer
Robert Kegerreis
A Detective A Detective   See fewer
Frank McGlynn Sr.
The Police Inspector The Police Inspector   See fewer
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